Functional polymorphism rs189037 in the promoter region of ATM gene is associated with angiographically characterized coronary stenosis

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are associated with reduced cardiovascular risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are widely used in patients with rheumatic diseases, but their effects on the cardiovascular system remain unclear. We aimed to assess whether CQ/HCQ could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase, and the ClinicalTrials.gov for studies investigating the association between CQ/HCQ and the risk of CVD from inception to 20 December 2017. We carried out the quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Random-effects model was used to pool the risk estimates relative ratio (RR), hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies (7 case-control studies, 12 cohort studies, and no clinical trials) involving 19,679 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled results for HRs or RRs showed that CQ/HCQ was associated with a significantly reduced risk of CVD (pooled RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.94, p=0.013). Results based on ORs showed a similar tendency towards a reduced risk of CVD with CQ/HCQ (pooled OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.25-0.69, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that CQ/HCQ was associated with a reduced risk of CVD in patients with rheumatic diseases. Randomized trials are needed to confirm the potential of CQ/HCQ in cardiovascular prevention in patients with and without rheumatic diseases.

Inflammation, a significant player of Ataxia-Telangiectasia pathogenesis?

INTRODUCTION

Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) syndrome is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, immunodeficiency, chromosome instability, radiosensitivity, and predisposition to malignancy. There is growing evidence that A-T patients suffer from pathologic inflammation that is responsible for many symptoms of this syndrome, including neurodegeneration, autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease, accelerated aging, and insulin resistance. In addition, epidemiological studies have shown A-T heterozygotes, somewhat like deficient patients, are susceptible to ionizing irradiation and have a higher risk of cancers and metabolic disorders.

AREA COVERED

This review summarizes clinical and molecular findings of inflammation in A-T syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM), a master regulator of the DNA damage response is the protein known to be associated with A-T and has a complex nuclear and cytoplasmic role. Loss of ATM function may induce immune deregulation and systemic inflammation.

The association of single nucleotide polymorphism rs189037C>T in ATM gene with coronary artery disease in Chinese Han populations: A case control study

Accumulated evidence has indicated that ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is closely related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. So we aimed to examine potential association between a gene variant [single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), i.e., rs189037C>T] in the promoter of ATM gene and coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese Han populations.In this hospital-based case-control study, a total of 1308 participants were divided into CAD group (652 patients) and control group (656 subjects) after performing coronary angiography. The SNP rs189037 was genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.The distribution of rs189037 genotypes and alleles showed a significant difference between CAD and control subjects (genotypes: P = .032; alleles: P = .028). The percentage of the TT genotype is much higher in control group than that in CAD group (22.0% vs 16.3%, P = .009). After adjustment of the major confounding factors, such difference remained significant (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.43-0.89, P = .010). After analyzing data from different groups divided by genders and smoking status respectively, we found that the protective effect of TT genotype on CAD was significant in males (P = .007) and smokers (P = .031). The difference remained statistically significant after multivariate adjustment (adjusted in males: OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.38-0.93, P = .022; adjusted in smokers: OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.27-0.81, P = .006).Our study suggests that ATM rs189037 polymorphism is associated with CAD in Chinese Han populations. The TT genotype of rs189037 seems to be associated with a lower risk of CAD and a protective genetic marker of CAD, especially in males and smokers.

Polymorphism rs189037C > T in the promoter region of the ATM gene may associate with reduced risk of T2DM in older adults in China: a case control study

Background

Recent evidence indicates that ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a cytoplasmic protein that involves in insulin signaling pathways. When ATM gene is mutated, this event appears to contribute to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Up to date, little information about the relationship between ATM gene polymorphism and T2DM is available. This study aimed to explore potential association between a genetic variant [single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), i.e. rs189037C > T] in the ATM promoter region and T2DM in older adults in China.

Methods

We conducted a 1:1 age- and sex-matched case-control study. It enrolled 160 patients including 80 type 2 diabetic and 80 nondiabetic patients who were aged 60 years and above. Genotyping of the polymorphism rs189037 in the promoter of the ATM gene was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test (when an expected cell count was <5) and unpaired Student’s t test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with adjustment for factors associated with T2DM.

Results

Significant association was found between the genotypes of the ATM rs189037 polymorphism and T2DM (P = 0.037). The frequency of CT genotype is much higher in patients without T2DM than in diabetics (60.0% versus 40.0%, P = 0.012). After adjustment of the major confounding factors, such difference remained significant (OR for non-T2DM is 2.62, 95%CI = 1.05–6.53, P = 0.038). Similar effect of CT genotype on T2DM was observed in male population (adjusted: OR = 0.27, 95%CI = 0.09–0.84, P = 0.024). In addition, the percentage of TT genotype in diabetics with coronary artery disease (CAD) was considerably lower than in those without CAD (17.9% versus 61.5%, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the ATM rs189037 polymorphism is associated with reduced risk of T2DM in older adult population in China. Specifically, CT heterozygote seems to be associated with a lower risk of T2DM than CC or TT genotype, especially in male older adults. Moreover, TT genotype may reduce the risk of CAD in diabetic patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12881-017-0446-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Up-regulation of MSH2, XRCC1 and ATM genes in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease

AIMS

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major problem in some patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). CAD has been suggested to be the main result of reduced efficacy of DNA repair systems. Analysis of the DNA repair system in patients with diabetes can potentially uncover the molecular basis of their susceptibility to the CAD. The aim of the present study was to compare the expression levels of some important DNA repair genes, including ATM, XRCC1 and MSH2, in CAD+ versus CAD- patients with T2DM. Furthermore, the relevance of putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of these genes with mRNA expression was evaluated.

METHODS

Expression analysis was performed by RT-qPCR on 76 patients with T2DM (41 CAD+ and 35 CAD- individuals confirmed by angiography). The genotypes of the patients were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTS

Significant up-regulation of the MSH2 (2.49-fold, P=0.001), XRCC1 (2.11-fold, P=0.001) and ATM (2.15-fold, P=0.003) genes was observed in patients with T2DM and CAD. We could not detect any function for SNPs by comparing gene expression. In a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the ROC curve for sum of relative expressions of all genes reached 0.81 (95% CI: 0.690-0.936, P=0.003), which indicates a potential biomarker for identifying patients with T2DM and CAD.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that expression levels of DNA repair genes may serve as informative biomarkers for identifying patients with T2DM and CAD.

Identification of a non-growth factor role for GM-CSF in advanced atherosclerosis: promotion of macrophage apoptosis and plaque necrosis through IL-23 signaling

RATIONALE

Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF, Csf2) is a growth factor for myeloid-lineage cells that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the role of GM-CSF in advanced atherosclerotic plaque progression, the process that gives rise to clinically dangerous plaques, is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the role of GM-CSF in advanced atherosclerotic plaque progression.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ldlr(-/-) mice and Csf2(-/-)Ldlr(-/-) mice were fed a Western-type diet for 12 weeks, and then parameters of advanced plaque progression in the aortic root were quantified. Lesions from the GM-CSF-deficient mice showed a substantial decrease in 2 key hallmarks of advanced atherosclerosis, lesional macrophage apoptosis and plaque necrosis, which indicates that GM-CSF promotes plaque progression. Based on a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, we show that the mechanism involves GM-CSF-mediated production of interleukin-23, which increases apoptosis susceptibility in macrophages by promoting proteasomal degradation of the cell survival protein Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) and by increasing oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

In low-density lipoprotein-driven atherosclerosis in mice, GM-CSF promotes advanced plaque progression by increasing macrophage apoptosis susceptibility. This action of GM-CSF is mediated by its interleukin-23-inducing activity rather than its role as a growth factor.

Genome maintenance and human longevity

Accumulation of DNA damage and mutations is considered an important causal factor in age-related diseases. Genetic defects in DNA repair cause premature onset and accelerated progression of age-related diseases and a shorter life span in humans and mice, providing strong evidence that genome maintenance is a bona fide longevity assurance pathway. However, the contribution of genome maintenance to human longevity itself remains to be established. Here, we review the results of human genetics studies, including genome wide association studies, and attempted to catalogue all genes involved in major DNA repair pathways that harbor variants associated with longevity. We hope to provide a comprehensive review to facilitate future endeavors aimed at uncovering the functional role of genome maintenance genes in human longevity.

Association between a gene variant near ataxia telangiectasia mutated and coronary artery disease in men

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes is accompanied by increased mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD), but the mechanisms linking these conditions remain elusive. Hence, treatment of hyperglycaemia alone is not sufficient to avoid CAD in diabetes. Alternative views suggest that metabolic and vascular diseases share unifying cellular defects that could serve as targets for novel therapeutic strategies. Recently, a variant [single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP); rs11212617] near the gene for ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) has been associated with glycaemic response to metformin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We determined rs11212617 in 240 male patients who underwent elective coronary angiography.

RESULTS

While the variant was not associated with glucose concentrations, the A allele was significantly associated with the presence of CAD (chi-square, p = 0.003), as well as with logarithmically transformed quantitative CAD indices [severe score (SS): 0.5 (0.4-0.6) vs 0.3 (0.2-0.5); extent score (ES): 2.63 (2.4-2.9) vs 1.94 (1.4-2.4), both p < 0.05, respectively]. Multivariate analysis revealed an independent association between the A allele with ES (β = 0.17, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that ATM-dependent signalling might play a role in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease, but larger studies are necessary to substantiate such a hypothesis.

rs189037, a functional variant in ATM gene promoter, is associated with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between a functional variant rs189037(G>A) in ATM promoter and idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia (INOA) in a Chinese population.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

Medical academy and hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Two hundred twenty-nine INOA patients and 236 fertile male controls.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism and subsequently confirmed by DNA sequencing. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for the risk genotype and allele. Bioinformatic analysis was also performed to predict the biological function of rs189037(G>A).

RESULT(S)

The AA genotype and A allele at rs189037(G>A) locus were both associated with an increased risk of INOA, with OR 1.90 (95% CI 1.214-3.007) for AA and 1.41 (95% CI 1.112-1.775) for A allele. The heterozygous GA and GA+AA had no relationship with INOA risk, with OR 1.06 (95% CI 0.761-1.472) and 1.28 (95% CI 0.954-1.708), respectively. Meanwhile, stratification by genotype showed that INOA patients with AA had higher FSH level, lower total T level, and smaller testicular size than those patients with GG. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis predicted that the rs189037(G>A) variant was located in a well-conserved region in ATM promoter and that the transition of allele G to allele A might lead to differential allelic expression of ATM gene via modifying of the DNA-binding ability of transcription factor E2F1.

CONCLUSION(S)

The genetic variant rs189037(G>A) in ATM gene promoter contributes to an increased risk of INOA in a Chinese population, possibly through affecting the DNA-binding ability of E2F1 and subsequent ATM expression.